Warp knitting machine



Nov. 2, 1948. F. LAMBACH WARP KNITTING MACHINE 6 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 3, 1945 lNVENTOR F'r/rz 14/7546 1-": ATTORNEY Nov. 2, 1948'. F. LAMBACH WARP KNITTING MACHINE.

6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 5, 1945 m 5 TM m4 W! W. &

BY if, ATTORNEY Nov. 2, 1948. F. LAMBACH WARP KNITTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1945 i e Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR FP/rz 14/7540 Y in ATTORNEY Nov. 2, 1948.. F. LAMBACH WARP KNITTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 3, 1945 INVENTOR fie/r2 14/115401 Ar; ATTORNEY Nov. 2, 1948. F. LAMBACH WARP KNITTING- MACHINE s She'ts-Shet 5 INVENTOR fmrzlmwww Filed 001;. 3, 1945 4"; ATTORNEY Nov. 2, 1948. F. LAMBACH 5 79 WARP KNITTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1945 a Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Nov. 2, 1948 UNITE D :S TATES PATENT '0 F .F 1 CE 2,452,579 WARP KNITTING MACHINE Fritz Lambach, Tenafiy, N. 1

Application October 3, 1945, Serial Nil-620,113

13 Claims.

My invention relates "to textile machines, and more particularly to warp knitting machines or so-called 'Kayloom Machines, wherein one or more reciprocab'le filler thread carriers are arranged for laying filler thread substantially parallel to the series of needles and wherein reciproca'ble filler sinkers are arranged for placing the filler thread laid by said filler thread carrier or .carriers into position to be incorporated into fabric produced by the knitting implements of the machine from warp yarns drawn from warp beams.

During the movement of the filler thread carrier from a first end position into a second end position forlaying filler thread, the filler thread must be engaged with a filler thread retaining meansarranged near said first end position. In the hitherto known warp knitting machines of above -.described type as disclosed for example in the U. S. Patent 2,200,280 to Klu-mpp and Lambach, a tine like projection of the filler sinker near said first end position is being used for this purpose when the filler sinker is in an intermediate position between its extreme backward and forward positions. This feature requires a standstill of the filler sinkers in said intermediate position and consequently a standstill of the needles and warp guides during the laying of filler thread. Therefore, in hitherto customary warp knitting machines of above described type, the knitting operations of the needles, warp guides, and filler sinkers take place during a rotation of the main shaft through an angle of 180, and the laying of filler thread by the filler thread carrier or carriers takes place during a subsequent rotation of the main shaft through another angle of 180. Said restriction of the performance of the knitting operations during half a revolution of the main shaft causes a limit of the speed of rotation of the main shaft in view of the permissible accelerations of the needles, warp guides, and filler sinkers, and said limit of the speed of rotation of the main shaft, of course, causes a limitation of the efficiency of the warp knitting machine.

An object of my invention is to provide awarp knitting machine of above described type, which may be operated at a high speed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a warp knitting machine of above described type, wherein the knitting operations of the needles, warp guides, and filler sinkers may be performed during a full revolution of the main shaft through an angle of 360 and the laying of filler thread may be carried out during a portion of said full revolution of the main shaft, so that the main shaft may be rotated at a high speed with the result of 'a high efiiciency of the warp knitting machine.

.A further. object of my invention is to provide a warp knitting machine of above described type with aspecial filler thread retaining mechanism.

Still another object of my invention is to improve on 'the construction of warp knitting machines of above described type as now ordinarily made.

With the above and other objects of the invention in view, the .invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of various devices, elements and parts, asset forth in the claims hereof, certain embodiments of the same being described in the specification and being illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 .is .a front elevational view of a warp knitting machine according to the invention, some parts being broken away and some parts being shown in section,

Fig. .2 is a vertical sectional view of the war-p knitting machine, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig.3 is a sectional View similar to the sectional view shown in Fig. 2,, said Fig. .3, however, illustrating only the knitting implements and their actuating drives in an enlargedscale,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary right-hand side elevationa'l view of the warp knitting "machine, illustrating .the .carrier drive actuating the reciprocable filler thread carrier,

Fig. 5 is asectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1, illustrating the filler thread retaining mechanism,

Fig. 6 is a somewhat diagrammat'ical top plan view of the band drive carrying the filler thread carrier, of the filler thread retaining fingers, and of a piece of fabric,

Fig. (is afront elevational view of a rod carrying a plurality of filler thread retaining fingers, and

Figs. 8-17 .are somewhat diagrammatical illustrations of various positions of the knitting implements relative to each other during a knitting operation.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, 20 generally indicates the frame of the Warp knitting machine composed .of several parts in any suitable manner. Amain cam shaft .22 journalled in suitable bearings of the frame may be rotated by a motor 24 connected with said main cam shaft through a belt drive generally indicated by 26.

Several sinker bar cams 28 (only one being shown in the drawings) are keyed to the main cam shaft 22. Each of said sinker bar cams 28 is in operative engagement with a roller (see Figs. 1, 2 and 3) rotatably mounted on a sinker bar rocker 32 keyed to a sinker bar shaft 34 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings of the frame. A tension spring 36 stretched between one end of said sinker bar rocker 32 and a stationary point 39 of the machine tends to urge the roller 30 against the surface of the sinker bar cam 28. The other end of said sinker bar rocker 32 and the free end of a plurality of sinker bar arms keyed to the sinker bar shaft 34 carry a sinker bar 42 secured to said ends of the sinker bar rocker and sinker bar arms by screws. The sinker bar 42 extending over the width of the warp knitting machine carries a series of filler sinkers 44 secured thereto in any suitable manner. Above described sinker bar drive 28, 30, 32, 34, 40, associated with said sinker bar 42 may reciprocate the sinker bar 42 with its filler sinkers 44 in a forward and backward direction in dependence on the shape of the sinker bar cam 28.

Furthermore, several needle bar cams 46 are keyed to the main cam shaft 22. Each of said needle bar cams cooperates with a roller 48 journalled on a needle bar rocker swingably mounted on the sinker bar shaft 34. A tension spring 52 stretched between the needle bar rocker 50 and the stationary point 38 of the machine tends to urge the roller 48 against the surfaceof the needle bar cam 46. On each side of the needle bar rocker. 50, one end of a connecting link 54 is pivoted to the needle bar rocker. 50 at 56. Theotherendot said. conriectingjink 54 is pivotally and Iad'justablyf connected with a needle bar arm'f59 keyed to a needle bar "shaft rotate ably mounted in suitablebearingsof the frame 20.v Ajneedle bar 62 carrying a series of latch needles B4 and extendingover the width ,of the machin'ejis secured to the needle'bar armsEBQby screws; Each'of the latch'fneedles passes through a slot 66 of atrick plate 68 secured toia' member I0 of the frame. YAbove described "needlebar drive'45. 48 50,54, 58 associated witl'rthe" needle bar .62f1nayj reciprocate said needle bar 62 with itslatch needles 64 in an upward and downward direction in. flepcndence on the shape of fthe needle barcam46."

" s reamers, several. guidejbarcamsj'n j are keyed to the main cam Suarez; Each of said guide bar cams cooperates iwitli'a roller I4 rot-at; ably mounted on a guide bar rocker I6 swingably mounted' on the s'inkerbar shaft 34' A tension spring I8 stretchedbetwe'en the guide: barjrocker Iliand the stationary point 33 tends to: urge the roller I4 againstthe'surface ofjthe guide bar cam12. One end of a connecting link ispiv otally and adjustably connected with the guide bar rocker 16 at 82, the other end of said connecting linkj80 is pivotedt'ofone endiofa guide bar arm 84 at 85. "The Other ehdof Said guide barrarm 84 is keyed to a guide bar shaft 88 rotatably mounted suitable bearing's of the frame 20; A" plurality of" guide fb'ar hangers generally indicated by '90 is secured to said guide barshaft 08. Said guide bar hangers carry a plurality of guidebars '92 (in) the embodiment" shown in the drawings, the machine is equipped with five 'guidebars l extendingi over' the width er-the machine. Each of s'aidguide bars 92' carries a series of warp'gui'des 94, by means of which warp'jyarns 96'-(see-Fig.2 )"drawn from rotatable warp beams 98. ar fed to the latch needles? Above-described guide bar drive "12, 14,16; 00,]84. 90 associated with the guide bars 92 may reciprocate the guide bars 92 with their warp guides 94 in a forward and backward direction in dependence on the shape of the guide bar cam '12. Furthermore, the guide bars 92 with their warp guides 94 may be reciprocated in a longitudinal direction by means of a pattern chain drive (not shown in the drawings) in a manner known per se.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, a stationary bar I02 forming a part of the frame of the machine carries a series of stationary elements I04. Said stationary elements I04 are spaced from each other in such a way, that the upper end of each filler sinker 44 enters in a space between said stationary elements, whereby said stationary elements guide said filler sinkers during their reciprocating movements as more fully described in my copending patent application relating to A warp knitting machine, Ser. #617,537 filed Sept. 20, 1945. The free end of each stationary element I04 is in loose engagement with the trick plate 68. Thus, the spaced stationar elements I04 form a bridge extending over the width of the machine.

As best shown in Fig. 1, an endless band I28 of flexible material is trained around two drums I30, I32. Each of said drums is journalled in suitable bearings of brackets mounted on the frame. The drum I32 is connected with a drive, the so-called carrier drive, to be described hereinafter, by means of which the drum I32 may be periodically rotated in clockwise direction and counter-clockwise direction, whereby a periodic reciprocating movement is imparted to the band l28. As best shownin 6, said band I28 is provided with a series of holes I29; 'A filler thread carrier generally indicated by' l34'is' secured to said flexible band I28 by means of screws 'I3I or the like in Seited J1m nin s ofthe band. The filler thread carrier may slide on a guide I35 mounted on the frame of thejmachine. The drawings illustrate only one filler thread darrier;butit'is understodd that aplurality of filler thread carriers maybe attached tothe band I28, ifd'es'ired." The filler thread carrier receives a filler thread I36" '(see Figs. 315 'andfi) from a filler thread supply (not shown). 'When thefiller thread carrier I34 is moved from itsektreme right-hand position into its extreme left handposition and vice versa, filler thread is laid'by'said filler threadcaifrier I34'sub' stantially parallel'to the series of latch needles'64 cnt'othe bridge formed byt'he stationary'elem'ents 'I0'4'which maybe called stationary filler thread receivingelements.

' The carrier drive *associatedfw'ith *the filler threadcarrier I34 for reciprocating same'isbes't showndn Figs; 1 and 4. 'A'pinio'n I38=keyedto the end of the maincanishaft'fl is in mesh-with ageari49 keyed to a shaft l42'journall'ed insuitiable bearings of the 'frame.'*'A (32.111144 keyed to said shaft I42 is-in engagement wlth'a' roller' l46 rotatably'inounted'on a rocker'l 48 keyed to ashaft I50 journalled in bearings of the frame. 'fAten sion spring I52 stretched betweenthe rocker I48 and a stationary point I54 of the machine tends to urge the roll'e1-'I46against the surface of the cam I44. An arm I56 havinga slot" I58 is keyed to the shaft I50; -"A'"pivotfIfill' 'pivotally connecting the arrnI56 withfone end of aconnecting link I62 mayb'e'adj Listed in a desired posi} tion in said slot I58. The otnerenu rsard connecting' link I62'is pivoted to an'arm164 at I66. Said arm I64 'iskeyed to a shaft' I fifl journalle'd inbearings of the frame. The end off an arm IIIi keyed to said shaft I68 is pivoted to one end greases in a guide I80 mounted ona bracket I 82 of the machine. A pinion I84 in mesh with said rack I16 is" keyed to a shaft I186 j'ournalledsin. bearings of the bracket I82, The drum I32 engaged with the band I28 carrying: the filler thread carrier or carriers in the manner described above is keyed to the shaft I86, As. will be readily understood, above described carrier drive I38, I46, I44, I48, I56, I62, I64, I 10, I 12", I16, I84, I32, I28 may cause a movement of the filler thread carrier to the right'or to the left, depending on the upward or downward movement of the rack I16 in dependence onthe shape of the cam I44. The ratio between the pinion I38 and the gear I40 is 1:2, and the cam I44 is of sucha shape, that the filler thread carrier performs either one movement to the right with a subsequent standstill in its extreme right-hand position, or one movement to the left with a subsequent standstill in its extreme left-hand position during one full rotation of the main cam shaft 2 2 corresponding to one cycle of knitting operations. The length of the stroke of the filler thread carrier or carriers may be adi'usted-by'an adjustment of the pivot ISIJ in a predetermined position in the slot I58; the larger thed'istance between the pivot I60 and the shaft I59, the largerthe stroke of the rack I15 and, 5

consequently, the larger the stroke of the filler thread carrier or carriers attached to the band Asbest shown in Figs; 1, 5 and 6, the machine is equipped with a filler thread retaining mechanism. For this purpose, a filler thread retainer cam 222 is keyed to the main cam shaft 22'. A roller 224 contacting the surface of said filler thread retainer cam 222' is rotatably mounted on a first arm 225 of a double-armed lever 228 swingably mounted on the sinker bar shaft 34. A tension spring 230 stretched between the stationary member Ill of the machine and the second arm 232 of said double-armed lever 228 tends to urge the roller 224 against the surface of the filler thread retainer cam 222. One end of a connecting link 234 of adjustable length is pivoted to the arm 22$ of'thedoubl'e armed lever 228 at 236', and the other end ol-said connecting link 234 is pivoted at 238 toan arm 2'4o keyedto a rod 242 iournalled in suitable bearings of the frame of themachine. A filler thread retaining finger 244 is adiusta-bly mounted on said rod 242 by means of a set screw 24% on each side ofthe machine. The

active end portion 243 of each filler thread retaining finger is adjacent the series of latch needles 64, and projects above the level of the upper surface of the bridge formed by the filler thread receiving elements I64, when it is in the effective position shown in full lines in Fig. 5. As long as the round portion of the filler thread retainer cam- 222 is in engagement with the roller 224, the filler thread retaining fingers 244 are held in said effective position shown in full lines; when, howeventhe rise of, the filler thread retainer cam 222 comes in engagement with the roller 224, the filler thread retaining finger 244 is lowered into the ineffective position shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 5, wherein the active portion 248 of the filler thread retaining finger is below the level of the bridge formed by the elements I04.

The shape of the various controlling cams on the main cam shaft and the positioning of said controlling cam means on said, main cam shaft and relative to each other is such, that the following operations. of the. various knitting. impliements of the machine are performed during a' rotation of the main cam shaft through an angle of 366, i. e. during one cycle of knitting operations.

Fig. 82 is asom-ewhat diagrammatical illustraiion of the position of. the various knitting implements: correspondin to the position of said knitting implements shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, wherein the main cam shaft 22 is in. a position hereinafter called its starting position. Accord.-

ing to Fig. 8, the latch needles G4 are intheir highestposition, the filler sinkers 44 rest in their. extreme backward position, the warp guides. 94 start a forward swinging movement from their extreme backward position, the filler thread carrier I34. is in an intermediate position during its movement from its right-hand end position into its left-hand end. position for laying filler thread (said filler thread isnoi shown in Fig. 8, as the filler thread carrier I34 has not yet reached the plane of the cross section according to line 2-2 of Fig. l), and the. filler thread retaining fingers 24.4 are in their efiicient position. Fig. Bfurthermore shows filler thread. Iiiiip laid during a pre-- ceding movement of; thefiller thread. carrier I34 from its extreme left-hand position into its. extreme right-hand position during a preceding cycle of knitting operations; said filler thread I 3531 is at the interval of knitting operations illustrated by Fig- 8; in front of the latch needles 6 4 for a subsequent incorporation intothe fabric produced. by the knitting implements of the machine. During above mentioned movement of the thread carrier I334. to the left, the filler thread flit is in engagement with the. right-hand filler thread retainin finger 244 as shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 illustrates the position of the knitting implements after a. rotation of the main cam shaft through an angle of approximately from: above mentioned starting position. The latch needles 54, the filler sinkers 44, and the filler thread retaining fingers 244' are still in the same position as in Fig. 8. The warp'guid'es 94, however, now are in their extreme forward position and start a shifting movement in a longitudinal direction, substantially parallelto the series of latch needles, The filler thread carrier I34 still moving to the left is now nearer to its extreme left-hand position, so that filler thread I35 laid by the filler thread carrier I34 is shown resting on the filler thread receiving elements I94.

Fig. 10 illustrates the position of the knitting implements after a rotation of the main cam shaft through an angle of from above mentioned starting position. Now, the latch needles 64 start their down-ward movement, the filler sin-kers 44 are still at rest, the warp guides 94 still perform their shifting movement, the filler thread carrier I34 still moving to the left, and the filler thread retaining fingers 244 are still in their efficient position.

Fig. 11 illustrates; the position of the knitting implements after a rotation of the main cam shaft through an angle of approximately from above mentioned starting position. .The latch needles 34 are still moving downwardly after having incorporated the filler thread I352) intothe fabric (the filler thread I'Btp is notshown in Fig. 11). The filler sinkers 44 are still at rest and the warp guides d4 are now likewise atrest. The filler thread carrier I34 is still moving" to the left and has not yet reached its end position. The filler thread retaining fingers 244 now start a downward movement, so that the right-hand filler thread retaining finger (see Fig. 6) becomes disengaged from the loop 250 formed by the filler thread I36 laid around said filler thread retaining finger, and that, consequently, the loop 250 is taken up by the pull of the filler thread carrier during a further movement thereof to the left.

Fig. 12 illustrates the position of the knitting implements after a rotation of the main cam shaft through an angle of approximately 195 from above mentioned starting position. The latch needles 64 now are at a standstill in their lowest position. The filler sinkers 44 start their forward movement. The warp guides 94 are still at a standstill. The filler thread carrier I34 is still moving to the left. The filler thread retaining fingers 244 are still moving downwardly.

Fig. 13 illustrates the position of the knitting implements after a rotation of the main cam shaft through an angle of approximately 200 from its starting position. The latch needles 64 and the warp guides 94 are at a standstill. The filler sinkers 44 are in an intermediate position during their forward movement. The filler thread carrier I34 now is at a standstill in its extreme left-hand position shown in dash and dot lines in Fig. 6. Said end position of the filler thread carrier is to the left of the filler thread retaining finger 244 as the stroke of the filler thread carrier is larger than the distance between the right-hand and left-hand filler thread retaining fingers. As may be seen from said Fig. 6, the filler thread I36 has been laid by the filler thread carrier in a plane in the rear of the plane of the active portion 248 of the lefthand filler thread retaining finger 244. Said filler thread retaining finger 244 now is in its downward ineffective position as shown in Fig. 13.

' Fig. 14 illustrates the position of the knitting implements after a rotation of the main cam shaft through an angle of approximately 215 from its starting position. The latch needles 64 start their upward movement. The warp guides 94 and the filler thread carrier I34 are at a rest.

The filler sinkers 44 are in a more forward position during their forward movement and are pushing the filler thread I36 towards the needles. The filler thread retaining fingers 244 are moving upwardly, but their active portion is still below the level of the filler thread I36, so that the filler sinkers 44 may push the filler thread I36 over the left-hand filler thread retaining finger into the position I36 shown in Fig. 6.

- Fig. 15 illustrates the position of the knitting implements after a rotation of the main cam shaft through an angle of approximately 225 from it starting position. The latch needles are in an intermediate position during their upward movement. The filler sinkers are in their extreme forward position, from which they now start their backward movement. The filler thread I36 has been placed in front of the latch needles 64 and the filler thread retaining fingers 244 are again in their upper effective position so that after a backward movement of the filler sinkers 44 the filler thread, being in the position I 36 shown in Fig. 6, comes in engagement with the active portion 248 of the left-hand filler thread retaining finger 244. The warp guides 64 and the filler thread carrier I34 are at a standstill.

Fig. 16 illustrates the position of the knitting implements after a rotation of the main cam shaft through an angle of approximately 245 from itsstarting position. The latch needles 64 and the filler thread retaining fingers 244 now are at a standstill in their highest position. The filler sinkers are in an intermediate position during their backward movement. The warp guides 64 are in an intermediate position during a backward swinging thereof. The filler thread carrier is still at a standstill in its extreme left-hand position.

Fig. 17 illustrates the position of the various knitting implements after a rotation of the main cam shaft through an angle of approximately 260 from its starting position. The latch needles 64 and the filler thread retaining fingers 244 are at a standstill in their highest position. The filler sinkers 44 are at a standstill in the extreme backward position. The warp guides 94 are still moving backwardly. The filler thread carrier I34 now starts a movement to the right for laying filler thread. During such a movement of the filler thread carrier to the right, the filler thread I36 (being in the position I36 shown in Fig. 6) is laid around the active portion of the left-hand filler thread retaining finger 244, so that a loop similar to the loop 256 shown at the right-hand filler thread retaining finger in said Fig. 6 is formed around the left-hand filler thread retaining finger, which now retains the filler thread laid by the movement of the filler thread carrier to the right.

After the performance of a full revolution of the main cam shaft, 1. e. a rotation of the main cam shaft through 360 from its starting position, all knitting implements except the filler thread carrier are again in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 8. As the filler thread carrier performs only a movement in one direction during such a full revolution of the main cam shaft or cycle of knitting operations, the filler thread carrier is now in the dash line position I'34' shown in Fig. 8 on its way towards its right-hand end position.

As will be readily understood from above, during full revolution of the main cam shaft or one cycle of knitting operations, at least the latch needles 64 or the warp guides 94 or the filler sinkers 44 are moved for the performance of knitting operations. In other words, the knitting operations of said knitting implements are not restricted to a rotation of the main cam shaft through 180, they are, however, performed during a rotation of the main cam shaft through 360". Furthermore, the laying of filler thread by a longitudinal movement of the filler thread carrier takes place during a portion of said cycle of knitting operations, while the main cam shaft is rotated through an angle of approximately 300 (the laying of filler thread takes place between the positions shown in Fig. 17 and 13; Fig. 17 illustrates the position of the knitting implements after a rotation of the main cam shaft through an angle of 260 and Fig. 13 illustrates the position of the knitting implements after a rotation of the main cam shaft through 200", so that the main cam shaft is rotated through arr-angle of 300 between the positions shown in Fig. 17 and Fig. 13). Moreover, as may be seen from the drawings, the latch needles 64 do not remain at a standstill, but perform a downward movement during the greater portion of the longitudinal movement of the filler thread carrier for laying filler thread. Furthermore, the drawings show, that the filler sinkers 44 are not in an intermediate position, but in their extreme backward position during the greater part of the longitudinal movement of the filler thread carrier for laying filler thread.

best shown in 2, the fabric 2H5 produced y the knitt n implements is taken up b a take-up roller 2L8 after passing over a series pf tension rollers 22-9. The take-up roller 2L8 and the tension rollers 2,2!) .aredriven in any suitable manner by the m in drive of the ma hine- If it is desired to knit a plurality of narrow iabrics, ribbons, or the like .on :the machine, :a plurality of filler thread carriers is attached :to the flexible band I28, and a small strok of said filler thread. carr, iers corresponding to the width ,of the narrow fabrics is adjusted :by means of :an adjustment of the pivot :tfiil in the slot 1 5,8 tsee Rig. 4).. Furthermore, several pairs of filler thread retaining fingers 1M tone pair for each filler thread carrier) are attached to the rod 2&2 as shown in Fig. TI. :Said pairs of filler thread retaining fingers are arranged in such a way, that the distance between the filler thread fingers of each pair is somewhat smaller than the stroke .of the filler thread carriers. It is .un- =derstood, that the'fillersinkersare removed from :the sinker bar opposite the location of a filler ithread retaining finger.

'I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration and that various omissions or changes in shape, proportion or arrangement in parts as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those herein shown and described may be made without departing from :thespirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I .claim is:

l. A warp knitting machine comprising: a needle 'bar carrying a series of needles, at least :one guide bar carrying a series of warp guides, .a guide bar drive associated with said guide bar for periodic actuations thereof with its warp "guides so as to feed warp yarns to said needles, a needle bar drive associated with said needle bar for imparting periodic reciprocating movements to same with its needles in- .a predetermined direction towards and away from said warp guides, at least one filler thread carrier, a carrier drive associated with said filler thread carrier for imparting periodic movements to same in a longitudinal direction so as to lay filler thread substantially parallel to said series of'needles, a sinker bar carrying a series of filler sinkers, a sinker bar drive associated with said sinker bar for imparting periodic movements to same with its filler sinkers towards and away from the direction of the strokes of said needles so as to place, during a movement towards said needles, filler .threadlaid by the filler thread carrier in position to be incorporated into fabric produced by the knitting implements of the machine, and controlling means associated .With said drives for coordinating their -functions and the functions of said needles, warp guides, filler thread carrier, and filler sinkers, and the assembly being such as to impart a longitudinal movement to said filler thread carrier during a movement of said needles away from said warp guides.

.2. In combination with a warp knitting ma chine as claimed in claim 1, said assembly being further suchas to maintain said filler sinkers in a position out of the path of said needles during the movementof the latter away from the warp guides when alcngitudinal movement ;is imparted to said filler thread carrier.

3. A warp knitting machine comprising: a

aeeabv 10 needle Thar carrying a series of needles, a needle bar drive associated with said needle bar for imparting periodic reciprocating movements to same With its needles in a predetermined direction, at least one guide bar carrying a series of war-p guides, a guide bar drive associated with said guide bar tor periodic actuations thereof with its warp guides so as to feedwarp yarns to said needles, at least ,one filler thread carrier, ,a carrier drive associated with said filler thread carrier tor impartin periodic movements to same .i-n-aglongitudinal direction so as to lay filler thread substantially parailel to said series of needles, a si ker bar carrying a series .of filler sinkers a sinker par drive associated with said sinker bar for imparting periodic movements to same with it filler sinkers towards and away from the 'direction -.of the strokes vof said needles so as to place, during .8 movement towards said needles, filler thread laid by the filler thread carrier in position to be incorporated into fabric produced :by the knitting implements of the machine, a rotatable main shatt, and controlling means connected with said main shaft and associated with said drives for coordinating in timed relation their tunctions and the functions of said needles, warp guides, filler thread carrier, and filler sinkers, and the assembly being such as to impart a mo rement to .at least one group of knitting rim- :plements out of said groups of needles, warp guides, and filler sinkers throughout lone revolution of said main shaft equalling one cycle of knitting operations and as to impart .a longitudinal movement in one direction to said filler thread carrier during a portion of said cycle of knitting operations.

45. A warp :knitting machine comprising: a

needle bar carrying a series .of needles, a needle :bar .drive associated with said needle bar for imparting periodic reciprocating movements :to

same with its needles 'in a predetermined direc- :tion, at least one guide bar carrying a series of warp guides, a guide bar drive associated with said guide bar ior periodic actuations thereof with its warp guides so as to teed warp yarns to said needles, at least one .filler thread carrier, a .carrier drive associated with said filler thread carrier for imparting periodic movements to same 'inia 'longitudinaldirection so as to lay filler thread substantially parallel to said series of needles, a sinker bar carrying a series of filler lsinkers', a sinker bar drive associated with said sinker bar for imparting periodic movements to same with its filler sinkers towards and away from the direction of the strokes of said needles so .as to place, during a movement towards said needles, filler thread laidby the filler thread'carrier in position to be incorporated into fabric produced by the knitting implements of the machine, a rotatable main shaft, and controlling meansconnected with said main shaft and associated with-said drives for coordinating in timed relation their functions and the functions ofsaid needles, warp guides, filler thread carrier, and filler sinkers, and the assembly being such as to imparta movement to :at least one groupof knitting implements out of said groups of needles, warp guides, and filler sinkers throughout a rotation of said main shaft through-an angle of 360 and as to impart a longitudinal movement in one direction to said filler thread carrier during .a rotation of said main shaft through an angle of approximately 300.

5. A warp knitting machine comprising: a

needleibar carrying a series of needles, at =1east 1 i one guide bar carrying a series of warp guides, a guide bar drive associated with said guide bar for periodic actuations thereof with its warp guides so as to feed warp yarns to said needles, a needle bar drive associated with said needle bar for imparting periodic reciprocating movements to same with its needles in a predetermined direction towards and away from said warp guides,

spaced filler thread retaining means fiective adjacent said series of needles, a filler thread retainer drive associated with said spaced filler thread retaining means for periodically rendering same ineffective, at least one filler thread carrier, a carrier drive associated with said filler thread carrier for imparting periodic movements to same in a longitudinal direction so as to engage filler thread with an effective filler thread retaining means and to lay such filler thread substantially parallel to said series of needles, a sinker bar carrying a series of filler sinkers, a sinker bar drive associated with said sinker bar for imparting periodic movements to same with its filler sinkers towards and awa from the direction of the strokes of said needles so as to place, during a movement towards said needles, filler thread laid by the filler thread carrier in position to be incorporated into fabric produced by the knitting implements of the machine, and controlling means associated with said drives for coordinating in timed relation their functions and the functions of said needles, warp guides, filler thread retaining means, filler thread carrier, and filler sinkers, and the assembly being such as to render said filler thread retaining means ineffective during an interval shortly before the filler thread carrier reaches the end of its stroke until the filler thread laid by the filler thread carrier during said stroke has been placed by the filler sinkers into position for incorporation into the fabric.

6. In a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 5, said assembly being further such as to impart a longitudinal movement to said filler thread carrier during a movement of said needles away from said warp uides.

7. In a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 5, said assembly being further such as to impart a longitudinal movement in one direction to said filler thread carrier during a standstill of said filler sinkers in their extreme backward position.

8. In a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 5, a rotatable main shaft, said controlling means being connected with said main shaft, and said assembly being further such as to impart a movement to at least one group of knitting implements out of said groups of needles, warp guides,

and filler sinkers during one revolution of said .main shaft equalling one cycle of knitting operations and as to impart a longitudinal movement in one direction to said filler thread carrier during a portion'of said cycle of knitting operations.

9. In a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 5, a rotatable main shaft, said controlling means being connected with said main shaft, and said assembly being further such as to impart a movement to at least one group of knitting implements out of said groups of needles, warp guides, and filler sinkers during a rotation of said main shaft through an angle of 360 and as to impart a longitudinal movement in one direction to said filler thread carrier durin a rotation of said main shaft through an angle of approximately 300".

10. A warp knitting machine comprising: a

12 needle bar carrying a series of needles, a needle bar drive associated with said needle bar for imparting periodic reciprocating movements to same in a predetermined direction, spaced filler thread retaining means arranged adjacent said series of needles, movable carrying means carrying said spaced filler thread retaining means for normally holding the active portion thereof in an effective position, at least one reciprocable filler thread carrier, the stroke of said reciprocable filler thread carrier being larger than the distance between said spaced filler thread retaining means, a carrier drive associated with said filler thread carrier for imparting periodic movements to same in a longitudinal direction so as to lay filler thread around the active portion of a filler thread retaining means and substantially parallel to said series of needles, a sinker bar carrying a series of filler sinkers, a sinker bar drive associated with said sinker bar for imparting periodic movements to same with its filler sinkers towards and away from the direction of the strokes of said needles so as to place, during a movement towards said needles, filler thread laid by the filler thread carrier in position to be incorporated into fabric produced by the knitting implements of the machine, and a filler thread retainer drive associated with said movable carrying means for periodically moving said filler thread retaining means into an ineffective position during an interval shortly before the filler thread carrier reaches the end of its stroke until the filler sinkers reach substantially their extreme end position placin the filler thread into position for incorporation into the fabric.

11. In a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 10, said spaced filler thread retaining means being adjustably mounted on said carrying means.

12. In a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 10, said carrying means being in the shape of a rod rotatably mounted on the machine, said rod extending parallel to said series of needles, said spaced filler thread retaining means being mounted on said rod, and said filler thread retainer drive being coupled with said rod for imparting periodic oscillating movements thereto.

13. A warp knitting machine comprising: a needle bar carrying a series of needles, a needle bar drive associated with said needle bar for imparting periodic reciprocating movements to same in a predetermined direction, a series of filler thread receiving elements arranged adjacent said series of needles, spaced filler thread retaining means arranged adjacent said series of needles,

movable carrying means carrying said spaced filler thread retaining means for normally holding the active portion thereof in an effective position, at least one reciprocable filler thread carrier, the stroke of said reciprocable filler thread carrier being larger than the distance between said spaced filler thread retaining means, a carrier drive associated with said filler thread carrier for imparting periodic movements to same in a longitudinal direction so as to lay filler thread around the active portion of a filler thread retaining means and onto said series of filler thread receiving elements substantially parallel to said series of needles, a sinker bar carrying a series of filler sinkers, a sinker bar drive associated with said sinker bar for imparting periodic move- 'ments to same with its filler sinkers towards and said needles, filler thread laid onto said filler 13 14 thread receiving elements in position to be incorporated into fabric produced by the knitting REFERENCES CITED implements of the machine, and a filler thread e f0l1 0Wing e erences are of record in the retainer drive associated with said movable carfile of 5 patent! rying means for periodically moving said. filler 5 "UNITED STATES PATENTS thread retaining means into an ineffective position during an interval shortly before the filler Number Name Date thread carrier reaches the end of its stroke until 1,951,104 11 -7 Mar. 13, 1934 the filler sinkers reach substantially their ex- 2,200,280 Klumpp et a1 y 14, 1940 treme end position placing the filler thread into 10 2,247,092 Klumpp et a1 J1me 1941 position for incorporation into the fabric.

FRITZ LAMBACH. 

